Business Ethics Criteria
A Decision-Making Flow in the Face of Ethical Dilemma
All organizations are faced with ethical dilemmas. Organizations that weather these dilemmas successfully are those with inbuilt procedures and guidelines for facing difficult decisions. This means that the first major criterion required for an organization to approach a challenging ethical dilemma is a preexisting and clearly defined code of ethics. This code of ethics should be based on a combination of industry best practices, elements particular to the organizational culture in question and the feedback provided by members of the organization.
Key Questions:
When considering an ethical dilemma, the following questions should be considered:
What does the organization's code of ethics state on this issue?
What are the options presented to me by this dilemma?
What are the consequences of my actions in the event of these options?
Who should have a stake in resolving this dilemma?
How should one evaluate the consequences of the decision ultimately reached?
Ethical Flow Chart:
The sequence of steps presented here below should serve as a template for making decisions in the event of an ethical dilemma in a business context:
Consult the existing organization code of ethics
If lacking such an ethics code, gain feedback from key personnel
Use feedback to construct practical code of ethics
Select proper personnel to address organizational dilemma
Dispatch individual or team to identify options within the context of the particular dilemma
Dispatch individual or team to extrapolate likely outcomes resulting from the execution of any of said options.
Engage options in open discussion and debate
Use debate to identify the two most viable options in the dilemma
Hold a secret ballot vote to determine which of the two options resonates with the decision-making team
Construct a timetable marking off expectations according to projected dates
Use these dates as a feedback loop for evaluating the decision as its implications unfold
Establish a second level in the feedback loop creating proper procedures and illuminating avenues to whistelblowing
Encourage personnel to serve as whitleblowers when they witness abuses of the ethical policy
Consult and renew the ethical code once a year to ensure that it still comports with the needs to address any ethical dilemmas which might arise in the foreseeable future
Conclusion:
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